(#273) In this enlightening episode, we delve into the complex world of Varroa management with the insightful Dr. Kirsty Stainton. As beekeepers eagerly set up their new colonies, the specter of Varroa destructor looms large, threatening the health and productivity of hives across the globe. Kirsty, armed with her profound expertise and passion for bee health, offers a deep dive into the intricacies of battling this pervasive parasite. Listeners will be equipped with actionable strategies for early detection, understanding the critical role of monitoring, and the integration of management practices to keep Varroa populations in check. The conversation also navigates through the nuanced differences between treatment options, highlighting the importance of a tailored approach that respects both the beekeeper's objectives and the well-being of the hive. Kirsty’s pragmatic advice underscores the necessity of ongoing vigilance and adaptability in Varroa management, advocating for a combination of traditional and innovative methods to safeguard our precious pollinators. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for both novice and seasoned beekeepers, offering fresh perspectives on a challenge that unites the beekeeping community in a common goal: thriving, healthy colonies in the face of Varroa adversity. Kirsty’s book, “Varroa Management: A practical guide on how to manage Varroa mites in honey bee colonies” is available on Amazon or directly from the publisher, Northern Bee Books. Join us to arm yourself with the latest insights and tools to turn the tide against Varroa, ensuring the resilience and prosperity of your beekeeping endeavors. Links and websites mentioned in this episode: Varroa Management on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Varroa-management-practical-manage-colonies/dp/1914934415 Honey Bee Health Coalition Varroa Management Resources: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management/ Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com   ______________   Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!  Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper. Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about heir line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: [email protected] Thank you for listening!  Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC Copyright